The 12th Overall Pick in the NFL Draft: A Historical Analysis of the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL
The NFL Draft is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in professional football, offering teams a fresh opportunity to improve their roster. Within this draft, the 12th overall pick has historically been an intriguing position, often yielding talented players who have gone on to shape their teams’ fortunes. For the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise known for its rich history and multiple Super Bowl victories, the 12th overall pick holds particular significance. This analysis explores the Cowboys’ use of the 12th overall pick, its broader context in the NFL, and how it reflects trends in drafting strategy, team-building, and player development.
The 12th Overall Pick in NFL Draft History
The 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft, being in the middle of the first round, often serves as a barometer for teams that are rebuilding or need to make a significant contribution without selecting elite top-tier prospects. While teams picking in the top five are often eyeing transcendent talent, the 12th pick is still a position where teams can find high-impact players who are ready to contribute immediately. Over the years, players selected at this spot have varied in their contributions, with some going on to Hall of Fame careers, while others are forgotten after a brief stint in the NFL.
In the context of the Cowboys, the 12th pick has served both as an opportunity and as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the draft. Historically, the Cowboys have managed to select players who fit their needs at the time of selection, whether that be for offense, defense, or special teams. As the NFL has evolved, the 12th overall pick has shifted in value depending on the positional depth in the draft class, the team’s needs, and the presence of other standout talents in the early rounds.
The Cowboys’ Use of the 12th Overall Pick
The Dallas Cowboys have had mixed success when selecting players at the 12th spot in the NFL Draft. Below are notable instances of the Cowboys’ history with the 12th pick:
1. Troy Aikman (1989)
While not a direct selection at the 12th pick, it is important to start with a notable figure from the era of the Cowboys’ most successful draft years. In the 1989 NFL Draft, the Cowboys were able to select the number one overall pick, Troy Aikman, but the 12th pick that year belonged to a different franchise. However, Aikman’s era is a reminder that for Dallas, every pick is part of a much larger strategy, where depth and careful planning allowed them to dominate the ’90s.
2. Leighton Vander Esch (2018)
The Cowboys made a notable selection in 2018, when they took linebacker Leighton Vander Esch at 12th overall. Vander Esch was a standout player at Boise State and had an immediate impact for the Cowboys, particularly in his rookie season. His selection in 2018 reflects the Cowboys’ strategy of prioritizing defense, as they aimed to build a balanced team capable of making deep playoff runs. Vander Esch brought intensity and athleticism to a linebacker corps in need of an upgrade. Though his career has been hampered by injuries, his early success served as a testament to the potential of the 12th pick when used on a high-ceiling player.
3. Zeke Elliott (2016)
Though selected by the Cowboys at 4th overall, the choice is still relevant to this discussion as Zeke became one of the most famous drafts choices within a decade by Dallas. Their “decisions” reflected what options a team could bring selecting early.
